The Department of Natural Resources says the decline is a result of a smaller deer population and a windy opening weekend of the firearms season. Minnesota deer hunters harvested 192,300 deer during the 2011 season. That's 15,000 fewer deer than in 2010. The 2012 deer hunting season begins in September.

Records from the state's Department of Natural Resources show North Dakota produced 18.3 million barrels of crude in April -- up from 17.9 million barrels in March. Minnesota's western neighbor has surpassed Alaska to take the No. 2 slot among the states. Natural gas production also set a record in April.

For many, North Dakota may never be a top winter vacation destination. In fact, The Weather Channel named Fargo "America's Toughest Weather City." However, that hasn't kept the Peace Garden State from having a successful 2011. According to the Fargo-Moorhead Forum, several magazines and websites praise NoDak for its booming economy and security.

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources says the state pumped 173.9 million barrels through September, compared 152.9 million barrels last year, the Associated Press reports. The state agency expects to surpass 200 million barrels in 2012.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says it is encouraged by the reduction of drunken driving deaths 2011 from a decade before, but notes that it is still a top safety threat. According to the Minnesota Drunk Driving Report released Friday, there were 111 drunken driving deaths in 2011, marking a 40 percent reduction in such deaths from 185 a decade ago. The report also revealed that there were 29,257 drunken driving arrests last year as well.

Fargo-based Cass-Clay creamery is voluntarily recalling some brands of peppermint bon bon-flavored ice cream because it may contain eggs that aren't listed on the label. The Associated Press reports the recalled products were distributed in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and Wisconsin.